Grass striping apparatus for use with lawn vehicle

ABSTRACT

A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn vehicle, e.g., a lawn mower. The striping apparatus may include a frame assembly operatively coupled to the vehicle, e.g., to a cutting deck of the vehicle, and a wiper member extending along a rear side of the cutting deck. The wiper member may include an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and an unsupported lower edge adjacent a grass surface. The wiper member may be made from a flexible material. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism that permits height adjustment of the wiper member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to lawn striping and, moreparticularly, to lawn striping apparatus attachable to lawn vehicles andmethods of using the same, as well as to mower cutting decksincorporating such apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Grass or lawn striping is a grooming procedure used to orient grass toachieve a particular aesthetic effect. For example, striping is commonlyused in professional ballparks to create a grass surface having acheckerboard or plaid pattern. Today, golf courses, municipal parks,and, to a lesser extent, homeowners, seeking to obtain a more manicuredand professional lawn appearance are also incorporating stripingtechniques into their lawn care procedures.

In general, the striping effect may be achieved by bending blades ofgrass in controlled directions. An area of grass bent away from anobserver, for example, may appear lighter than an area bent towards theobserver. Often, a first strip of grass is bent in a first direction,while the immediately adjacent strip is bent in the opposite direction.This pattern may be repeated across an entire grass surface to achievethe desired effect.

Striping may typically be accomplished by rolling the grass, often inconjunction with a mowing operation. That is, a roller may be attachedto a rear portion of a mowing vehicle to roll over and bend the grass inthe direction of vehicle travel. Professional reel mowers, for example,may include a roller fixed to a rear side of each mower reel. Othermower configurations, e.g., riding rotary mowers, may include fullwidth, rear-mounted rollers.

While these striping systems are effective, problems remain. Forexample, rollers are often heavy and/or rigidly fixed to the mower orcutting deck to ensure sufficient downward force is applied to producethe desired striping effect. However, heavy or full-width rollers, orthose rigidly affixed to the vehicle, may inadvertently strike groundsurfaces or obstacles, e.g., curbs, during operation, resulting inpotential damage to the lawn surface and/or the roller. Moreover,current striping mechanisms often lack adjustability, i.e., theytypically apply their full force or weight to the ground regardless ofparticular grass conditions, e.g., height. To alter the downwardpressure of the striping mechanism often requires its removal from themower or, alternatively, loosening and repositioning of the stripingmechanism, typically with the use of tools.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide striping apparatus thataddress these and other issues. In one embodiment, a grass stripingapparatus for use with a lawn mower having a cutting deck attachedthereto is provided. The striping apparatus includes a frame assemblycoupled to the cutting deck, and a flexible wiper member extending alonga rear side of the cutting deck. The wiper member includes an upper edgefixed to the frame assembly, and an unsupported lower edge adjacent agrass surface.

In another embodiment, a grass striping apparatus for use with a lawnmower including a cutting deck is provided. The striping apparatusincludes a frame assembly coupled to the cutting deck, and a flexiblecantilevered wiper member extending along a rear side of the cuttingdeck. The wiper member includes an elongate upper edge fixed to theframe assembly, and an elongate, unsupported lower edge operable to dragover a grass surface. An adjustment mechanism is also included with thestriping apparatus and includes a first portion attached to the frameassembly, and a second portion operatively coupled to the cutting deck.

In yet another embodiment, a grass striping apparatus for use with alawn vehicle is provided wherein the striping apparatus includes a frameassembly pivotally coupled to the vehicle, and an elongate wiper memberextending transversely across a width of the vehicle. The wiper memberforms a cantilever structure comprising an elongate first edge fixed tothe frame assembly, and an unsupported second edge proximate a grasssurface.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe eachembodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Rather, amore complete understanding of the invention will become apparent andappreciated by reference to the following detailed description andclaims in view of the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will be further described with reference to thefigures of the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a striped grass surface that maybe obtained with a grass striping apparatus and method in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a lawn vehicle, e.g., mower,having a cutting deck incorporating a grass striping apparatus inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view of the cutting deck and stripingapparatus of FIG. 2 with some structure removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the striping apparatus ofFIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the striping apparatus ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the cutting deck ofFIGS. 2 and 3 with the striping apparatus engaged with a grass surface;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the cutting deck of FIG.6 with the striping apparatus adjusted to a higher elevation; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the cutting deck ofFIGS. 2 and 3 with the striping apparatus adjusted for tall grassmowing.

Unless otherwise stated herein, the figures of the drawing are notnecessarily rendered to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying views of the drawing which form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Generally speaking, embodiments of the invention described herein aredirected to grass striping apparatus/methods, and to mower cutting decksincorporating the same. The grass striping apparatus embodimentsdescribed herein may include a grass-contacting wiper member that may beadjustably positioned relative to the cutting deck and to a grasssurface. Moreover, the wiper member may be configured to be eithersubstantially fixed relative to the cutting deck (e.g., move in unisonwith the deck) at an operator-selected position or, alternatively, tofloat (e.g., move independently) relative to the deck. Further, wipermembers, as described herein, may be made from a relatively flexible andelastic material. As a result, damage to turf and/or the mower resultingfrom inadvertent contact between the wiper member and the grass surfacemay be reduced or eliminated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a ground or grass surface 50 (e.g., alawn) being groomed by a self-propelled, ground maintenance vehicle,e.g., riding lawn mower 100. The riding mower may, in one embodiment,include: a cutting deck 114 operable to cut grass over which the deckpasses; and a grass striping apparatus 200 operable to stripe thesurface 50 as further described below (both the deck 114 and thestriping apparatus 200 are shown more clearly in FIG. 2).

While the invention is herein described with respect to riding mowers,those of skill in the art will realize that the invention may beapplicable to other mowing vehicles, e.g., walk-behind mowers; towed andgang mowers, etc., and to other vehicles to which a cutting deck may beattached, e.g., all terrain vehicles, skid-steer loaders. Moreover, thestriping apparatus 200 could also be utilized with vehicles that do notincorporate a cutting deck.

To generate a striped appearance, the mower 100 may traverse the surface50 in an appropriate, alternating pattern. For example, the mower may,during a first mowing, travel along a first path 52. At the lawnperimeter, the mower 100 may reverse directions and travel along asecond path 54 parallel to and adjacent the first path. This pattern maybe repeated across the grass surface 50 to produced the desiredalternating stripes 60.

During the next mowing, the same pattern may be used or, alternatively,the mower may travel along a third path 56 generally orthogonal to thefirst path 52. At the lawn perimeter, the mower 100 may reversedirections and travel along a fourth path 58 parallel to and adjacentthe third path. By alternating passes across the grass surface in thisfashion, the desired stripes 60 (or, after a second mowing, checkerboardsquares 62) may be obtained.

While the general mower configuration is not necessarily central to theinvention, FIG. 2 illustrates partial right side perspective view of theexemplary mower 100 of FIG. 1. The mower may include a frame 102 (ofwhich a portion 102 a is visible) supporting a prime mover, e.g.,internal combustion engine (not shown). A left and a right groundengaging drive wheel 106 (only right wheel shown) may be rotatablycoupled to left and right sides of a rear portion of the mower 100,respectively. The drive wheels 106 may be independently powered by theengine (e.g., via one or more hydraulic motors, transmissions, or theequivalent) so that they may propel the mower 100 over the grass surface50 and control the mower's direction.

The mower 100 may, in one embodiment, be a zero-turning-radius mower,such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,637 to Decker et al.Accordingly, a pair of front swiveling caster wheels 108 (see FIG. 1)connected to the frame 102 may support a front portion of the mower 100in rolling engagement with the grass surface 50.

Although the illustrated mower has the drive wheels 106 in the rear,this configuration is not limiting. For example, other embodiments mayreverse the location of the wheels, e.g., drive wheels in front andcaster wheels in back. Moreover, other configurations may use differentwheel configurations altogether, e.g., a tri-wheel configuration or aconventional front-wheel-steering configuration. Accordingly, otherembodiments are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The cutting deck 114 may be mounted, in one embodiment, to the lowerside of the frame 102, generally between the drive wheels 106 and thecaster wheels 108. The cutting deck 114 may include one or more cuttingblades 112 (as shown in FIG. 3) that are operatively powered by theengine. During operation, power is selectively delivered to the cuttingdeck 114 and the drive wheels 106, whereby the cutting blades 112 rotateat a speed sufficient to sever grass and other vegetation as the cuttingdeck passes over the grass surface 50. The cutting deck 114 may furtherinclude deck rollers 116 to assist in supporting the cutting deckrelative to the grass surface 50.

Typically, the cutting deck 114 includes an operator-controlled decklift mechanism to allow adjustment of the cutting deck elevation abovethe grass surface 50. While the lift mechanism configuration may vary,it may, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, include a cutting decklift arm 118 pivotally attached to the frame 102 at a pivot 120 (asimilar lift mechanism may be provided on the opposite side and/orproximate the front of the deck 114). A first arm 122 of the lift arm118 may be coupled to a link 125 that may be moved in an axial directionand selectively locked in any one of multiple locations by the operator.A second arm 124 may be coupled to the deck 114 (e.g., to a bracket 126attached to the deck) with a tension member such as a chain 128. Whenthe operator causes the link 125 to move (e.g., forward or backwards),the lift arm 118 may rotate, effectively raising (or lowering) thecutting deck 114.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged left side elevation view of a portion of the mower100 and cutting deck 114 of FIG. 2 with a portion of the deck cut-away.The cutting deck 114 may include one or more, e.g., three spindles 130,each driving separate cutting blades 112. The spindles 130 may receivepower from the engine via one or more endless belts 132. The deck 114may form a downwardly opening housing defined by a first or uppersurface 134 and one or more sidewalls 136 extending from the uppersurface. Each cutting blade 112 may rotate within a cutting chamber 138that may be defined, in part, by the upper surface 134 and the sidewalls136.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the cuttingdeck 114 may further include the grass striping apparatus 200. In theillustrated embodiments, the apparatus 200 may include at least oneelongate wiper member 202 and a frame assembly 203 for supporting thewiper member. Preferably, the wiper member 202 extends along, andproximate to, a portion of the rear side of the cutting deck 114. Atleast one adjustment mechanism 204 (mechanisms 204 a and 204 b) may alsobe provided for positioning the wiper member 202 relative to the cuttingdeck 114 and the grass surface 50.

The suffixes “a” and “b” may be used throughout this description todenote various left and right side parts/features, respectively.However, in most pertinent respects, parts/features denoted with “a” and“b” suffixes are either substantially identical to, or mirror images of,one another. Therefore, such items may, where appropriate, be referredto generically or collectively without the suffix. Moreover, it isunderstood that, unless otherwise noted, the description of anindividual part/feature, e.g., the description of a part/featureidentified with an “a” suffix, also applies to the opposingpart/feature, e.g., the part/feature identified with a “b” suffix.

Moreover, as used herein, relative terms such as “left,” “right,”“fore,” “forward,” “aft,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,”“horizontal,” “vertical,” and the like are from the perspective of oneoperating the mower 100 while the mower is in a normal operatingconfiguration, e.g., while the mower 100 is positioned such that thewheels 106 rest upon the horizontal grass surface 50. These terms areused herein to simplify the description, however, and not to limit thescope of the invention in any way.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary stripingapparatus 200 (some miscellaneous hardware removed for clarity) of FIGS.2 and 3. As stated above, the frame assembly 203 may include thosecomponents of the apparatus that support the wiper member 202 and allowit to couple to the mower 100. For example, the frame assembly 203, inthe illustrated embodiments, may include clamp members, (e.g., first orfront clamp members 206a and 206b, and second or rear clamp member 208).The clamp members 206 and 208 may hold or secure the wiper member 202 inplace. The frame assembly 203 may further include fasteners, e.g.,carriage bolts 207 (only one shown), that may pass thorough variousaligned openings in the clamp members 206, 208, and the wiper member 202and fasten with a nut 209 to secure the components relative to oneanother. To support and provide tear-out resistance to portions of thewiper member 202 that may not be covered by the clamp members 206, 208,the frame assembly 203 may further include support plates 210.

When the wiper member 202 is attached to the frame assembly 203 with thebolts 207, the wiper member 202 may preferably be held firmly in placeproximate its elongate, first or upper edge as shown in FIG. 3. Anelongate, second or lower edge (the edge adjacent the grass surface 50),however, remains preferably free (unsupported) and operable to drag overthe grass surface 50. That is, the wiper member 202 preferably forms acantilevered structure fixed at its upper edge.

The frame assembly 203 (e.g., the clamp members 206, 208 along with theoptional support plates 210 and fasteners 207, 209) and wiper member 202may together form a wiper assembly 201 as shown in FIG. 3. To attach thewiper assembly 201 to the mower 100 (e.g., to the cutting deck 114), theframe assembly 203 may further include mounting brackets 212. In theillustrated embodiments, the mounting brackets 212 may each include anopening 214 to permit pivotal attachment to axles of one or more deckrollers 116. Thus, the wiper assembly 201 (e.g., the wiper member 202)when attached to the cutting deck 114, may pivot about a transverserotational axis 216 of the deck rollers 116.

The frame assembly 203 may further include coupling members, e.g.,adjuster brackets 218a and 218b, to permit coupling to the mechanisms204 a and 204 b, respectively, as further described below. Whileillustrated as attaching to a forward side of the front clamp members206, the adjuster brackets 218 may, in other embodiments, attach inalternate locations, e.g., to the rear clamp member 208.

To permit use of the apparatus 200 with cutting decks 114 of varyingwidths (e.g., 52, 60 and 72 inch), components of the apparatus may bemodifiable by an end user. For example, the apparatus 200 may be sold asa kit similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4. The kit, as supplied, maybe designed to fit (extend across the full width of) a large cuttingdeck (e.g., a 72 inch deck). However, the wiper member 202 may betrimmed to a shorter length for attachment to smaller decks. To assistthe user in trimming the wiper 202, it may include notches 220, 222 (orother demarcations), which are located at the correct length for varioussmaller narrower decks, e.g., 60 and 52 inch decks.

Similarly, other components such as the mounting brackets 212 andadjuster brackets 218 may be flipped, relocated (e.g., moved towardscenter), or even replaced, for mowers of smaller widths. For example, inthe illustrated embodiments, the front clamp members 206 may be movedtowards one another when the apparatus 200 is used with smaller decks.As a result, some of the support plates 210, e.g., the center supportplates shown in FIG. 4, may be discarded when used with narrower decks.In other embodiments, a single front clamp member could replace the dualarrangement illustrated in the figures. Such a clamp member could betrimmed, or replaced, for use with smaller decks.

The adjustment mechanisms 204 may permit adjustment of the wiperassembly 201 relative to the mower 100 and grass surface 50. Whileillustrated as incorporating two mechanisms 204 a and 204 b, otherembodiments may utilize more or less mechanisms without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiments, each mechanism 204 may include anelongate member, e.g., a rod member 224. The rod member 224 may includea first portion (e.g., first end) operable to couple or attach to theframe assembly 203, e.g., to the adjuster bracket 218, and a secondportion (e.g., second end) operable to couple to mower structure. In theillustrated embodiments, the second portion of the rod member 224 maycouple indirectly to the cutting deck 114 by coupling to the lift arm118, which is, in turn, attached to the deck via chains 128.

The second portion of the rod member 224 may include a threaded portion232 operable to receive one or more threaded adjusters 226 as furtherexplained below. The first end of the rod member 224, on the other hand,may be L-shaped, e.g., include a right-angle bend 228, operable to passthrough an opening in the adjuster bracket 218 where it may be securedwith a fastener (e.g., a hair pin 230 as shown in FIG. 3). Theright-angle bend 228 may provide a pivotal connection between the rodmember 224 and the wiper assembly 201.

A mounting pivot 234, of which an enlarged view is provided in FIG. 5,may be located over the threaded portion 232 between two threadedadjusters 226. The mounting pivot 234 may, in one embodiment, be formedas two tubes coupled together such that their longitudinal axes areoffset from, and orthogonal to, one another. The mounting pivot 234, inthe illustrated embodiments, may include a first clearance hole 236operable to engage the threaded portion 232 of the rod member 224 withclearance, and a second clearance hole 238 operable to couple to thelift arm 118 (see also FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond clearance hole 238 may receive therein, with clearance, afastener 240 that secures the chain 128 to the lift arm 118. Preferably,the mounting pivot 234 may freely rotate about the fastener 240 when thefastener is tightened.

With this description of components of the exemplary apparatus 200, itsoperation, once installed on the mower 100, will now be described withreference primarily to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. The position of the wiperassembly 201 about the axis 216 may be set and maintained by theadjustment mechanism(s) 204. For example, to set the location of thewiper assembly 201, the lower threaded adjuster 226 may be turned untilit is at or near the lower end of the threaded portion 232. The upperthreaded adjuster 226, which, due to the weight of the wiper assembly201, is preferably in contact with a first upper side of the mountingpivot 234, may then be rotated in: a first direction to raise the wiperassembly (e.g., pivot the wiper assembly in a counterclockwise directionin FIG. 3); or in a second direction to lower the wiper assembly (e.g.,pivot the wiper assembly in a clockwise direction). Statedalternatively, rotation of the upper threaded adjuster 226 about the rodmember 224 may permit axial movement of the rod member 224 relative tothe mounting pivot 234, effectively shortening or lengthening thedistance between the mounting pivot and the wiper assembly 201.

When the wiper assembly 201 reaches the desired position, the lowerthreaded adjuster 226 may be rotated until it is in contact with asecond lower side of the mounting pivot 234 as shown in FIG. 3. With thetwo threaded adjusters 226 tightened against the mounting pivot 234, thewiper assembly 201 may be generally fixed relative to the cutting deck114. An optional jam nut 242 may be provided to prevent loosening of theupper threaded adjuster 226 during operation.

This adjustment technique may permit the wiper assembly 201 to move withthe cutting deck 114. However, the operator may still change theposition of the wiper assembly 201 independently of the deck 114 bymanipulating the adjustment mechanism 204. Where necessary, theelevation of the wiper assembly 201 may be course-adjusted by changingthe elevation of the deck roller 116.

If the operator prefers, the wiper assembly 201 may be configured tofloat relative to the deck 114. Floating permits placement of the wiperassembly 201 at a particular height above the grass surface 50, butallows it to move upwardly, independent of the cutting deck 114, when anobstruction is encountered. To permit floating of the wiper assembly201, the lower threaded adjuster 232 may be moved away from the mountingpivot 234 (see FIG. 3), e.g., towards the lower end of the threadedportion 232.

Although not illustrated, the wiper assembly 201 could be additionallybiased towards the ground surface when more ground pressure is desired.More ground pressure may be advantageous for certain turf conditions,e.g., shorter or dry grass. Such biasing could be achieved, for example,by placing an extension spring between the lower threaded adjuster 226and the mounting pivot 234 (see FIG. 3). Alternatively, additionalweight could be added to the wiper assembly 201.

With the lower edge of the wiper member 202 positioned at the desiredlocation as shown in FIG. 6, e.g., about ¼ to about ½ inch below thebottom edge of the cutting deck 114, striping of the grass surface 50may begin. If striping is combined with mowing, the cutting blades 112may be activated and the mower 100 propelled in a forward direction 244.The blades 112 may cut grass 51 at a predetermined height above thegrass surface 50. After the deck cuts the grass 51, the wiper member 202may bend the grass in the direction of travel 244, producing the desiredstriping effect.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative operating mode for striping tallergrass. In this mode, the cutting deck 114 may be adjusted such that thecutting blades 112 may be at a high mowing height, e.g., about 3.5inches, and the wiper member 202 of the wiper assembly 201 may be setmuch lower, e.g., about 2.5 inches below the bottom edge of the deck114. Such an adjustment may be accomplished by manipulating theadjustment mechanism(s), e.g., the rod member 224, as described herein.The mode illustrated in FIG. 8 may provide enhanced striping for tallgrass lawns.

To terminate striping, the wiper assembly 201 may be selectively liftedfrom the grass surface 50 as shown in FIG. 7. This may be accomplishedby turning both threaded adjusters 226 towards the lower end of thethreaded portion 232 of the threaded rod 224, or by lifting the deck114.

The wiper member 202 is illustrated herein as being in a substantiallyvertical plane when in a first, undeflected configuration as shown inFIG. 3. However, this configuration is not limiting. In fact, due to itspivotal connection to the deck 114, the plane of the wiper member 202may often be tilted from vertical. In fact, as FIG. 8 illustrates, thewiper member 202 may be tilted at most any angle permitted by thegeometry of the apparatus 200.

When the wiper member 202 is dragged across a grass surface 50, it maymove to a second deflected configuration as shown in FIG. 6. In thesecond, deflected configuration, the lower edge of the wiper member 202may move out of plane, e.g., may deflect rearwardly relative to itsposition when the wiper member is in the first, undeflectedconfiguration of FIG. 3.

The wiper member 202 is preferably made from a flexible material thatallows the wiper member to deflect as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The term“flexible,” as used herein, indicates a relatively elastic and resilientmaterial that can undergo substantial deflection, e.g., experiencestrain in excess of about 15%, and more preferably in excess of about25%, without experiencing failure or substantial permanent set. Somematerials that provide such flexibility may be selected from the groupconsisting of rubber and plastic. Alternative materials may includefabrics and foams. Flexibility of the wiper member 202 allows adequateand consistent contact with the grass 51 while reducing potential damageto the turf and/or the wiper as a result of wiper/turf contact.

The material properties and dimensions of the wiper assembly 201, e.g.,wiper member 202, may be selected to ensure the desired amount of wiperdeflection under normal operating conditions. For example, in oneembodiment, the wiper member 202 may be made from rubber, e.g., neoprenerubber, having a durometer of about 60 Shore A, a thickness of about0.28 inches, and a height (distance from top edge to bottom edge in FIG.3) of about 3 inches. The width may vary depending on the cutting deckwidth. Moreover, the wiper may extend a distance 248 of about 1 inch toabout 1.2 inches, e.g., about 1.14 inches, beyond the lower edge of therear clamp member 208, and a second distance 246 of about 1.2 inches toabout 1.4 inches, e.g., about 1.32 inches, beyond the lower edge of thefront clamp member 206. This differential may provide for effectivelygreater stiffness of the wiper member 202 in the forward direction 244than in a reverse direction. As a result, the tendency for the deck 114to ride-up (“pole-vault”) on the wiper member 202 when the mower is inreverse may be reduced. Those of skill in the art, however, will realizethat properties and characteristics listed above are merely exemplaryand that wipers and striping apparatus of most any size and material arecertainly possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Striping apparatus and methods as shown and described herein thusprovide an effective and reliable technique for grooming a lawn surface.Moreover, because of their relative flexibility, wiper members of thepresent invention may also substantially reduce or prevent turf and/ordeck damage resulting from wiper contact with the ground surface.Further, striping apparatus as described herein provide adjustmentmechanisms that allow the operator to quickly and easily change theelevation of the wiper member, and to configure the wiper member ineither a fixed configuration or a floating configuration. Wiper membersas shown and described herein may also be easily modified by the enduser to fit mowers/decks of varying widths.

The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, andpublications cited in the Background section, the Detailed Descriptionof Exemplary Embodiments section, and elsewhere herein are incorporatedby reference in their entirety as if each were individuallyincorporated.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above.Those skilled in the art will recognize that many embodiments arepossible within the scope of the invention. Other variations,modifications, and combinations of the various parts and assemblies cancertainly be made and still fall within the scope of the invention.Thus, the invention is limited only by the following claims, andequivalents thereto.

1. A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn mower having a cuttingdeck attached thereto, the striping apparatus comprising: a frameassembly coupled to the cutting deck; and a flexible wiper elementextending along a rear side of the cutting deck, the wiper elementcomprising an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and a lower edgeadjacent a grass surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising an adjustment mechanism that permits elevation adjustment ofthe wiper element relative to the cutting deck
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an elongate member havinga first portion attached to the frame assembly, and a second portionoperatively coupled to the cutting deck.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the frame assembly is pivotally coupled to the cutting deck. 5.A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn mower comprising acutting deck, the striping apparatus comprising: a frame assemblycoupled to the cutting deck; a flexible cantilevered wiper elementextending along a rear side of the cutting deck, the wiper elementcomprising an elongate upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and anelongate, unsupported lower edge operable to drag over a grass surface;and an adjustment mechanism comprising a first portion attached to theframe assembly, and a second portion operatively coupled to the cuttingdeck.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame assembly ispivotally coupled to the cutting deck.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the wiper element floats relative to the cutting deck.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the wiper element is substantially fixedrelative to the cutting deck.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thesecond portion of the adjustment mechanism is coupled to a cutting decklift arm.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second portion ofthe adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded portion operable to engageone or more threaded adjusters.
 11. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe wiper element extends substantially across a width of the cuttingdeck.
 12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame assembly comprisesa first clamp member extending along a first side of the wiper element,and a second clamp member extending along a second side of the wiperelement.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wiper elementcomprises a material selected from the group consisting of rubber andplastic.
 14. A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn mower havinga cutting deck mounted thereon, the striping apparatus comprising: aframe assembly pivotally coupled to the cutting deck, the frame assemblycomprising at least two clamp members; an elongate, flexible wipermember extending along a rear side of the cutting deck, the wiper memberdefined by an upper edge clamped between the at least two clamp members,and a free continuous lower edge; and a first adjustment mechanismcomprising a rod member extending between the frame assembly and a decklift mechanism.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least twoclamp members comprise two front clamp members and a rear clamp member.16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the frame assembly furthercomprises at least one mounting bracket for pivotally coupling the frameassembly to the cutting deck
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein therod member pivotally couples to the frame assembly.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the rod member comprises a threaded fiat portionproximate the deck lift mechanism.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 33, further comprising a second threaded adjuster proximate asecond side of the mounting pivot.
 21. The apparatus of claim 14,further comprising a second adjustment mechanism.
 22. A grass stripingapparatus for use with a lawn mower comprising a cutting deck, thestriping apparatus comprising: a frame assembly pivotally coupled to thecutting deck; a rectangular, flexible wiper member spanning across arear side of the cutting deck, the wiper member forming a cantileverstructure comprising an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and acontinuous lower edge extending towards a grass surface; and anadjustment mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, the adjustmentmechanism operable to change a distance between the lower edge of thewiper member and the grass surface.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22,wherein the upper edge of the wiper member is fixed between two clampmembers of the frame assembly.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, whereinthe upper edge of the wiper member is fixed to the frame assembly suchthat, when the wiper member is in a first undeflected configuration, thewiper member lies within a plane.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, whereinthe plane is substantially vertical.
 26. The apparatus of claim 24,wherein, when the wiper member is in a second deflected configuration,the lower edge is deflected rearwardly relative to its position when thewiper member is in the first, undeflected configuration.
 27. A grassstriping apparatus for use with a lawn vehicle, the striping apparatuscomprising: a frame assembly pivotally coupled to the vehicle; and arectangular wiper element extending transversely across a width of thevehicle, the wiper element forming a cantilever structure comprising anelongate first edge fixed to the frame assembly, and a continuous secondedge proximate a grass surface.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, whereinthe first edge of the wiper element is fixed to the frame assembly suchthat, when the wiper element is in a first undetected configuration, thewiper member lies within a plane.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27, whereinthe frame assembly is pivotally coupled to a cutting deck of thevehicle.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the frame assembly ispivotally coupled to a deck roller of the cutting deck.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 27, wherein the frame assembly comprises elongateclamp members operable to clamp the first edge of the wiper member. 32.The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the wiper element floats relative tothe cutting deck.
 33. A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawnmower having a cutting deck mounted thereon, the striping apparatuscomprising: a frame assembly pivotally coupled to the cutting deck, theframe assembly comprising at least two clamp members; an elongate,flexible wiper member extending along a rear side of the cutting deck,the wiper member defined by an upper edge clamped between the at leasttwo clamp members, and a free lower edge; and a first adjustmentmechanism comprising: a rod member extending between the frame assemblyand a deck lift mechanism, wherein the rod member comprises a threadedfirst portion proximate the deck lift mechanism; a mounting pivotcoupled to both the deck lift mechanism and the rod member; and a firstthreaded adjuster proximate a first side of the mounting pivot andthreadably engaged with the threaded first portion of the rod member,wherein rotation of the first threaded adjuster results in axialmovement of the rod member relative to the mounting pivot.
 34. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the wiper element extends substantiallyacross a width of the cutting deck.
 35. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the wiper member extends substantially across a width of thecutting deck.
 36. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the wiper memberextends substantially across a width of the cutting deck.